Migration news roundup week commencing 29 September 2025

This Migration News Roundup presents a selection of news, policy, research and statistics from the previous week on migration-related topics. The contents of each story do not necessarily reflect the views of Migration Yorkshire.

Content warning: The bulletin covers a range of sensitive issues relating to migration; this week there’s footage of the deportation process and a story relating to far-right activity, which some readers might find distressing.

• UK borders and migration policy
• Specific migrant groups
• Cohesion and integration
• International news
• Stories that inspired us this week

UK borders and migration policy

A compulsory UK digital ID scheme has been announced by the Prime Minister. The government hopes the measure will help ensure ‘Britain’s borders are secure’. An online petition opposing the scheme by civil liberties groups gathered 900,000 signatures within a few hours of the announcement. (Source: the Guardian)

A family of three are the first arrivals to the UK under the ‘one in one out’ scheme, granted visas for three months and the right to apply to stay. Meanwhile, the Home Office lost its appeal against the High Court decision to delay an Eritrean’s man removal under the same scheme, while his modern slavery claim is investigated. This piece explores the procedures involved in ‘last minute’ legal challenges against removals, highlighting the complexity of the process, difficulties in accessing legal advice, and the tight timescales involved. The effectiveness of the deal with France is questioned in this article, considering the potential numbers of people who could be removed and whether they’re sufficient to be a deterrent. (Sources: BBC, Independent, Free Movement, Al Jazeera)

Meanwhile, small boats continue to arrive, bringing more than 1,000 people on a single day recently, with the total for 2025 over 32,000 and the highest number recorded at this point in a year. (Source: BBC)

In light of the refugee family reunion route being suspended, this legal article outlines other options available for refugees to be able to bring relatives to the UK. (Source: Free Movement)

This eight minute video provides insight into the deportation process which journalists have been allowed to film for the first time. The footage follows a group of foreign national offenders being deported to their home country of Romania. (Source: ITV)

Specific migrant groups

Following the announcement to return the move-on period from asylum accommodation from 56 to 28 days for single adults, over 60 organisations are urging government to reconsider. Homelessness and migrant support charities warn the policy will not only put increased pressure on local authorities but also lead to increased rough sleeping at a time when refugees are at considerable risk of harm due to anti-migrant feeling. (Source: electronic immigration network)

An investigation into asylum hotels has been broadcast on radio, providing rare access and highlighting many issues faced by people living there. Despite a broadly sympathetic angle towards the hotel residents, the programme also highlights illegal working and high transport costs when moving people to accommodation and appointments. In response, the Home Office has launched a review into the use of taxis for this purpose. (Source: BBC, 38 minutes)

This article considers how permanent residency for Hongkongers could bring economic benefits to the UK. (Source: the Guardian)

International students, charities and universities are calling on the UK government to allow students from Gaza who are coming to the UK for studies to bring their families with them. (Source: BBC)

The Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) scheme, which has played a vital role in supporting trafficked children including asylum seekers and refugees, is being expanded to all local authorities in England and Wales through a new government tender. (Source: Home Office)

The government is considering removing visa fees for the global talent visa, to help attract experts in areas such as science and digital technology to the UK. (Source: Reuters)

Cohesion and integration

Government published details of Phase 2 of its Pride in Place Programme. Over the next decade disadvantaged neighbourhoods around the UK - including over 20 in Yorkshire and Humber - will each receive £20 million funding, with the goal of building resilient and integrated communities. (Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government)

A study looking at how trauma and PTSD impacts later participation in social life among refugees underscores the need for informed interventions to support social integration. (Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)

An investigation into far-right ‘citizen journalists’ who force their way into hotels and film themselves confronting staff and asylum seekers, reveals how this type of social media content generates thousands of pounds for its creators. Organisations supporting asylum seekers have spoken of being ‘pressured into silence’ following increased intimidation from anti-migrant protesters. In case you missed this article, the use of AI generated images in far-right propaganda have been linked to the rise in extremist ideas, reinforcing negative stereotypes of migrants. (Sources: Channel 4, 13 minutes, the Guardian, the Independent)

International news

The US government has cancelled Temporary Protected Status for Syrian nationals, giving those affected 60 days to leave, or face arrest and deportation. (Source: Al Jazeera)

Over 270 organisations around the world are urging governments to maintain protections for refugees and reject US proposals that would dilute them. (Source: Refugee Council of Australia)

Greece’s new deportation law, which introduces increasingly harsh measures on refused asylum seekers including children, has drawn criticism from rights groups and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Commentators advise Greece is seen to test policies that later may be adopted across the EU. (Source: Al Jazeera)

Stories that inspired us this week

Speaking at the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Ghanaian President John Mahama has warned against xenophobia, racism and the normalization of anti-migrant hatred. (Source: France 24)

FIFA has announced a team of Afghan refugees will participate in a special international football tournament, ‘FIFA Unites: Women’s Series’, to be held in the United Arab Emirates. (Source: USA Today)

80 students from Gaza, who received scholarships to study in the UK, have safely arrived in Scotland. (Source: STV)